SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) ELECTRICITY

Solar photovoltaic, or PV cells, convert sunlight to electricity. This electricity is 12 volt direct current (DC). For most households, solar electricity could replace a large part of the electricity produced by fossil fuels. Since 2000, global PV production has been increasing at around 50% per year.

In central Victoria there are on average about 4 hours of sunlight per day, so a 1 kW PV system, on average can be expected to produce about 4 kWh per day. This is about 30% of average household consumption.

WHY INSTALL PV?

• Once installed and operating, a PV system produces zero greenhouse gas emissions. So, as less electricity from fossil fuels is consumed, the owner of a PV system can reduce his/her carbon footprint. A 1kW system will save about 1.5 tonnes of CO2 per year.

• Solar electricity also helps to lessen some of the other social and environmental impacts caused by generating electricity using fossil fuels e.g. high water usage.

• The cumulative effect of installing a number of small solar PV systems can soon become very significant. Remember the song “From little things, big things grow”!

• Generous rebates are currently available and several new schemes are being developed to make it easier for you to become involved.

SOLAR PV SYSTEM COMPONENTS

The panels: the cells on the flat panels which are the most visible part of the system, convert the energy of the sun into electrical energy. The panels should be oriented to the north (or slightly to the east or west of north) so that they capture as much sun as possible. The panels are usually mounted directly or using angled frames, on any suitable roof (house, church, hall, school, factory etc.) They can even stand on the ground. The more panels installed, the more electricity is produced.

The inverter: this “box” converts 12 volt DC into 240 volt alternating current (AC) which is the form of electricity which we use every day. Up to 5% of the electricity generated is lost during conversion.

TYPES OF SYSTEMS

GRID CONNECTED SYSTEMS

• These systems can operate in areas where buildings can be connected to the main electricity grid.

• The equipment includes the PV panels, the framing and wiring for the panels, the inverter and an electronic bi-directional digital meter.

• During the day, the panels will at times produce more electricity than is needed. The excess is fed into the grid and the electricity meter runs in one direction, thereby reducing the amount of electricity consumption shown on the meter. At night, your electricity will be supplied from the grid and so the meter will run in the other direction. At the end of the billing period customers are billed only for the amount of electricity shown on the meter. On average, a 1kW system in central Victoria produces about 4 kWh per day.

STAND ALONE SYSTEMS

• These are usually remote area systems where mains electricity is not available.

• In addition to the panels etc. listed above, the equipment includes a bank of large storage batteries. Quite often there is also a back-up generator, fuelled by either petrol or diesel.

• The electricity generated by the panels is stored in the battery bank.

• Because it is stand alone, there is no external metering.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

These details may change at short notice, so always check for the latest information

• GOVERNMENT REBATES

There are Federal Government solar PV rebate programs available for installations on houses, schools and community buildings. Information on the rebates can be found on the Federal Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts website (www.environment.gov.au/rebates/ ) or by phoning 1800 808 571. (Note that the 2008/9 federal budget restricted the rebate to households earning less than $100 000 in the 2006/7 financial year.

The Federal Government also provides rebates for households, communities, not-for-profit, business, government and other organisations, in those areas of Australia not close to a main grid, to support the installation of renewable generation systems. Rebates of up to 50% of the capital cost of renewable generation and enabling equipment are available to applicants through the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program (RRPGP). More information can be found at www.environment.gov.au/rebates . No income test applies.

As well, information is available on rebates for schools and community buildings on the Sustainability Victoria website (www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/ look in the Take Action section) or phone 1300 363 744.

• RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTIFICATES (RECs)

Through the Federal Government’s Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) scheme, a policy has been implemented to increase Australia’s renewable energy generation capacity.

One REC is created for each MWh of renewable energy generation capacity installed. Electricity retailers such as Origin have an annual quota of RECs they must fulfill in order to avoid being fined $40 for each REC they are below their quota. They satisfy most of their quota by investing in large renewable energy projects such as wind farms. However, small renewable energy projects such as solar PV and solar hot water installations also qualify as RECs generators. Origin and other retailers can purchase these RECs through a RECs market, and reduce their need to invest in larger renewable energy generation projects.

For example, a 1kW solar PV system will qualify for about 22 RECs (created by the installer). Once generated, these RECs can either be cashed in or surrendered (taken out of the system). If they are taken out of the system, the energy retailers are forced to buy RECs elsewhere, in order to meet their quota, and this forces them to invest in other renewable energy projects (large or small).

MASG recommends that whenever possible, RECs are surrendered, thereby encouraging greater investment in Australia’s renewable energy generation capacity.

For further information on RECs, see www.orer.gov.au or phone the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator in Canberra on (02) 6274 2192.

• FINANCING OPTIONS

Bendigo Bank offers green loans to help home owners finance the cost of installing a solar PV system. See www.bendigobank.com.au/ and search for green loans, or call 1300 366 666.

• FEED IN TARIFFS:

These tariffs are set by governments around the world to encourage households to take up renewable energy generation by the installation of a solar PV system. It means that your energy retailer pays a higher rate for the electricity that you generate, than the rate you pay for the energy that you use. The higher the ‘feed-in’ tariff, the shorter the pay-back time on the cost of the system

The new State Government Feed In Tariff Policy will pay 60c/kWh when introduced in 2009. This is based on instantaneous net export where credit will be given for every kWh exported to the grid by t

SOME CONTACTS FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SOLAR PV

While every effort has been made to assess the information provided by the contacts below, MASG cannot guarantee the authenticity of the information given, on every site. While contacts are provided for some private businesses, MASG does not endorse nor will be held responsible for the products or services offered by these companies, nor for any transactions or business contracts entered into with the businesses listed below.

The list is not meant to be exhaustive.

General Contacts:

Sustainability Victoria
www.sustainability.vic.gov.au
(03) 8626 8700

Alternative Technology Association (ATA)
Renew Magazine issue 101 Oct-Dec 2007 has a comparison table of solar panels.
www.ata.org.au
ph (03) 9639 1500

Clean Energy Council
The Clean Energy Council is an amalgamation of the Australian Wind Energy Association (Auswind) and the Australian Business council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE). The Council represents over 400 businesses.
www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au ph (03) 9349 3077

Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions Inc (BREAZE)
A “sister” organisation to MASG.
www.breaze.org.au

Specific Contacts:

Earth Utility (innovative funding option)
www.earthutility.com.au
Ph 1300 884 783

Environment Shop
www.environmentshop.com.au
Ph (03) 9480 1905

EnergyMatters
www.energymatters.com.au

Nu Energy
www.nuenergy.com.au
Ph 1300 768 225

GridPower
www.gridpower.com.au
Ph 1800 074 007

M + H Power Systems
www.mhpower.com.au
Ph 1300 733 006

Specific Products or Suppliers:

BP Solar Australia
www.bpsolar.com.au
Ph 1800 802 762

Conergy (Australia)
www.conergy.com.au
Ph 1300 551 303

Solar Sales Pty Ltd
(GE Energy, Jalwei, Webel,
SunPower, Suntech)
www.solarsales.com.au
Ph (08)9477 5888

Solar Shop
www.solarshop.com.au
Ph 1800 988 877

Kyocera Solar
www.kyocerasolar.com.au

Ecosouth Solar Electricity
(Mitsubishi)
www.ecosouth.com.au
Ph (08) 8371 5655

Jaycar Electronics
(Powertech)
www.jaycar.com.au
Ph 1800 022 888

PV Solar Tile
www.pvsolartiles.com
Ph (02) 9558 0512

SCHOTT Solar
www.schott.com/solar
Ph (02) 8426 1607

Going Solar
www.goingsolar.com.au
Ph (03) 9348 1000

Sharp
www.sharp.net.au
Ph 1300 135 530

Uni-Solar
ARRID
www.arrid.com.au
Ph 1300 663 563

USG Energy
NENSYS New Energy Systems
www.nensys.com.au
Ph 1300 660 735

Local Contacts

The Solar Bloke
Rear 27 Lyttleton St
Castlemaine VIC 3450
PH: 5470 5890

Issue date: September 2008